Jean PAULHAN writes to Paul ÉLUARD about "Poetry and Truth". 1942.

Jean PAULHAN (1884.1968)

A set of two autograph letters signed to Paul Éluard.

One octavo page on NRF letterhead paper and one quarter octavo page.

Paris. October 17, 1942 and March 18, 1943. Envelopes preserved.

"He may be a great poet, but he's not a good poet."

Friendly letters from the publisher to his poet friend. In 1942, Paul Éluard had just published his legendary collection, Poésie et Vérité (Poetry and Truth) , and Paulhan confirmed to him that it was in high demand. He also transcribed for him the acerbic and mediocre remarks made about him by the critic André Thérive.

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I – “Dear Paul, Everything is fine, but everyone is asking for more and I have none left. ‘It looks like a leaflet,’ Thérive told me suspiciously. But he saw your name and said, ‘He may be a great poet, but he’s not a good one’ (sic). He added, ‘I’m leaving for Weimar tomorrow.’ ‘You?’ ‘Oh, just as an observer.’ I didn’t dare take the little book away from him. I send you my love. J.”

II – “Dear Paul, It’s my turn to be tired and feverish. Perhaps it’s this first gray day. But I’ll be better by Monday. Would you like to meet at 4 p.m., like the first time, at the Galerie de France? L’Appel [a collaborationist journal founded in 1941] announced LPF Fargue’s regular collaboration. He swears to me that it’s not true, that it’s all lies. We both send you our love. Jean.”

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